Back in the Gateway City - Day 29

Yesterday was an easy drive - I like easy drives. For one, it's a drive I know well - from Nashville to St. Louis, and two, it was nice and clear out - and not much traffic. St. Louis is a great town - one where I have a bunch of family on my mom's side - so I've been coming here since I was a little kid. I think the first time was when my parents took my sister's and I on the train from LA.
Nashville had been good for catching up on my rest. I really haven't had much down time at all on this trip and the other night I just passed out. A big storm came through early in the morning and I didn't hear any of it. I woke up refreshed like I haven't really been for a while. After the weekend to Chicago and Cincinnati I was feeling exhausted and I could feel a crash coming - so I was very happy to get sort of caught up.
I enjoy the drive into the city - where you can see the Arch in the distance - and the road winds through East St. Louis and then you cross the bridge over the Mississippi River - and the city lies to the north of the highway and the arch shines in the sun - as the muddy river rolls on by. I made my way further into the city to wait for my cousin to get off work - since I was going to be staying with him.
I drove around for a bit and it was nice out - not too hot and humid - and the skies were wide open with some clouds drifting slowly by - and a tint of smog in the distance. Soon Mike called and I met him at his place - which is in Dogtown and an old Irish neighborhood. I guess the St. Patrick's Day parade starts nearby - and so the streets are full and packed with people celebrating. The houses and apartments are old and have a lot of character. Mike just moved in two weeks ago so his place is still filling up with stuff - but it's a cool place on the 2nd story - a front deck and a back deck.
We went to a place around the corner (and right on the corner from where I'm writing this now) for some food. It was pretty good. I like that there are places to walk to and the neighborhood is interesting.
Tonight I'm not sure what we're going to do - maybe an open mic - then tomorrow I drive to Marion, IN for a show at the Beatniks Cafe - I'm hoping it goes well - and Mike might come with me - we'll see. The Saturday night we're playing at a place called the Three Kings Public House on Delmar in the loop. The family is supposed to come out for that one.
that's all for now,
Yours Truly,
Jeremiah

Crossing into St. Louis

Mike Evans - wearing a King Louie's t-shirt which is a burger stand right around the corner from my Granny's old house in Wood River, IL. that everyone in the family knows very well from going there all the time from when we were young. I'm hoping to go there this trip.

Heading North - Days 27 and 28

Yesterday I just never got around to writing - I had meant to do it in the evening - but instead I stayed out late and then got back and fell asleep on the couch - these things happen sometimes. Now I'm on the road - resting for a moment in Clarksville - on my way to St. Louis. It's nice out after a couple days of rainy skies - overcast.
Nashville was cool - one of the good things about the rain was that it kept the temperatures nice and mellow. Last evening I went to a meeting with Lauren about managing tips for bands - from the business side of it. It was interesting and I think I picked up a few ideas from it all. The band that was being discussed is called the Civil Wars - they have been gaining more and more attention and I like their sound.
Yesterday I finally got the fish right - I realized that it needs to thaw more - in fact it says that on the packaging - to thaw over night. So lunch yesterday was good - so much better than the night before - served with mushrooms and grilled onions.
I've driven the road from Nashville to St. Louis a lot - so it should be an easy and smooth ride.
That's all for now - but I might add more later on after I get to town.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

More Southern Days - Day 26

I made it out of the house again today and I'm down at the 12th Taproom in the 12th South part of town. It's a hip beer and wine bar and has some great food. The burger here is something that I highly recommend - also the caesar salad.
They also have music on certain nights - this being one of them and my friend Johnny is playing bass tonight. Johnny played with Lauren and I when I lived here in town. He's a very nice guy, laid back and easy to work with - and I also worked with him at Trader Joe's. Johnny was also the bass player on Lauren's record. I miss playing with him. I always try to make it to gigs when I can.
Earlier tonight I made dinner which didn't come out like I had wanted it to. Fish that had been frozen and it just didn't work right - and the Brussels sprouts and mushroom mix was a little too cooked - but at least the mashed potatoes came out nicely.
So one more full day in Nashville and then I hit the road for St. Louis.
Yours truly,
Jeremiah

Nashville - again - Day 25

This morning I made my way back to Nashville, where I'm going to hanging out for the next couple days - before I head to St. Louis to get ready for the show there on this coming Saturday. I hit some rain as I drove down the Kentucky highway - and by the time I got to the house I was ready for some rest. The last several days have been really busy - and fun - so I'm glad I have a few days of down time - hopefully I can catch up on my rest.
Chicago was awesome - I love that town - well visiting it anyway - I don't know if I could handle the winter there. It has a unique feel to it - a busy kind of feeling, but also relaxed and friendly. I like the old buildings and the different parts of town - and just the general history that's there - not like Los Angeles where it's mostly new in comparison.
Before I headed out of town I stopped by Jackson Park which is south of the city and where the Museum Of Science and Industry is located. I wanted to see the building since I'm a fan of the book, The Devil In The White City, which is about the 1893 Chicago World's Fair - and the museum is the only remaining building left - since the other ones built were only temporary and ended up burning down. I was truly impressed seeing it up close - and it's a grand building, but I do wish I could have seen all the buildings as they were - the others were massive and I can only imagine what it all must have been like.
I walked from there to the shore of Lake Michigan - it was a little hazy out but warm and a bit humid - and the beach was busy - the park too - people were running and cyclist cruising around - and people just hanging out in the park. I know if I lived up there I would do my best to be out there all the time. Then I realized it was getting late and I needed to get down the road to Cincinnati - and then I remembered that I had to cross into the Eastern time zone and it would be an hour later - so I really knew I had to get moving. I made my way to highway and headed for the Indiana border.
The ride was smooth and I was glad to see the gas prices drop as I left the city - where they had been around $4.29 - and in Indiana the price had dropped to around $3.49 - even cheaper down the road too. As the sun was setting I rolled over the river from downtown Cincinnati into Newport, Kentucky and to the Southgate House. There were people out on the town and I was looking forward to playing in venue again - the last time was in early April and it went well - a little smokey but a good feeling room.
I carried in my gear and set it up and got ready for the night of playing. It's in an old two story house and has 3 different rooms for performers. I saw that Dave Alvin was playing in the larger room, and a several others that I recognized. Like I said, the last show went well and I was ready and people starting coming in to the club.
I ended up making several new fans - people that had looked at the club website and decided to come down based on my bio, and then a few others who had seen some of the videos I have up on You Tube with Lauren - so I was very happy to see that I have some fans in the Cincinnati area. I will hopefully make it back there before the end of the year.
After the gig I hit a local late night diner for some early/pre-dawn breakfast and then moved down the road to the first rest stop and slept for a while. A storm came in and rain poured and the lightning flashed and the thunder roared. By about 7:30 I got up and started the drive back to Nashville. The sky was dark and cloudy and rain fell for most of the way. I passed again through Louisville, and made a stop in Bowling Green, which is close to the border, then finished the drive - and I was so happy to stop - because then I knew I could lay down and take a nap - which is exactly what I did.
This evening I made dinner - hamburgers on Lauren's new propane grill - and cut up vegetables: yellow squash, zucchini, green beans, and red bell peppers. I used the side burner of the grill and cooked everything outside. The rain cooled the temperature down some and it was a nice mellow evening - and the food came out just like I had wanted it to.
On Thursday I reached the year mark of me not having a day job. It's been quite a wild year - full of ups and downs and I've been very fortunate to have so many people supporting what I do - especially my family. It would have been nice to win that Emmy - as sort of sign of the past year - and the years before too - but oh well - next time. I am looking forward to getting back eventually to LA - and then I'll be off the road for a while.
yours truly,
Jeremiah


Chicago

My friends from LA, Dafni and Pete - outside of the Horseshoe in Chicago

The Museum of Science and Industry - and the former Fine Arts building from the 1893 World's Fair

Chicago and Lake Michigan from the south at Burnham Park

Another shot of the museum

The Southgate House in Newport, KY - and my name is there on the marquee

Dinner tonight in Nashville

Chicago Busy Day - Day 23 and 24

I do apologize for not writing yesterday. It was a long one - that was both relaxing and busy - at different points of course - but the day was pretty much filled from beginning to end - and Chicago, and the surrounding areas, is a great place to hang out.
Yesterday we started with brunch - and when I say we, I mean my friend Arthi and I - Arthi let me stay at her house out in the suburbs for this trip - we used to work together back in LA - then she moved back to Chicago. It was a good eggy breakfast, good pancakes, and good coffee. I was still pretty exhausted from the day before - but got going by the afternoon. We watched my friend's documentary, Air Guitar Nation, which is about the first air guitar championships and how they go to the world championships in Oulu, Finland - it's a great entertaining movie and I highly recommend it.
From there we caught the train into the city and met up with Arthi's boyfriend, Tyler, and the restaurant he works at - Big Star - a Mexican restaurant in the Whicker Park area - I think. We hung out there for a bit and then went over to meet up with some of Tyler's family which I had been invited to also. It was at The Burger Bar in Lincoln Park which I was looking forward to - since I'm always on the lookout for a great burger. It was a good gathering of people and a good meal - not a great burger, but a good one.
It was nice out - a little chilly - I was glad I had brought a jacket with me - and our night in the city ended with the three of us hanging out on the patio of this corner bar. When we got back to the house we ended up watching the end of the movie, then some Flight of the Conchords - and then I passed out from exhaustion.
This morning I'm feeling well rested. I think I got the best night of sleep so far on this tour - I'm glad there was a quiet room for me here in the house.
I need to get my stuff into the car and get moving down the road to Cincinnati where I'll be playing from about 9:30 to 1:30 - The Southgate House in Newport, KY which is right across the river from Cincinnati.
I'll post photos soon,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Chicago - Day 22

It's been another long day and I don't think I'll get much written now. It's after 2am and I've been up since about 8am - and really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. But I knew what had to be done and forced myself up and got ready to hit the road north to Chicago. I picked up some coffee at Bongo Java and got on the highway out of Nashville.
I made it in about 8 hours and had stopped along the way just north of Indianapolis. I had a gig at The Horseshoe and was looking forward to playing. The night went well - my friend Arthi and her boyfriend made it out - and then I got a call from my friend Dafni who said that she and her husband Pete were in town - so i gave them the address and the eventually made it over to the gig. It was a nice surprise.
Tonight I'm out in a spare room of Arthi's house - I think close to Aurora. Tomorrow I have the day off and looking forward to seeing some of the town since the last times I've been up here it's been a quick turnaround. I'm also looking forward to sleeping in.
So that's all for now,
good night,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

A Day of Relaxing - and Pizza - Day 21

Today is a day that has seemed to fly by. Right now it's almost 10:30 at night and I feel like it should be earlier - and have more energy too. But it was a good day - a day to relax and catch up on some rest, go around town for a bit and even catch an early set at The Mercy Lounge this evening - before coming back and making dinner.
Yesterday was a busy and long day. I started the morning in Oklahoma where it was warm and humid and made my way east - still on the I-40. I cruised along, hoping to make it to Nashville by about 3pm or so - which would give me enough time to get cleaned, get some food, and practice for the set at The Basement that night. As I drove through Arkansas, past Little Rock, with Memphis not too far away, I saw storm clouds off to the south moving along quickly and heading on a diagonal north east path to the road ahead. The wind blew strong and I knew it was only a matter of time before we would meet.
I made it across the Mississippi River and through Memphis - and then the rain started to fall. It fell harder and harder and the wind started howling. Slowly I moved along, and everyone else was cautious since it was so hard to see. I kept on the lookout for tornadoes too - since I knew that could be a possibility. Right after Jackson, Tennessee though everything came to a halt. I figured that there was an wreck somewhere down the highway caused from the storm. So I sat there, and sat there, and waited and waited - the rain came and went and after almost two hours - the traffic started moving again.
I was so glad when I finally got to Nashville - I was looking forward to a shower and to getting cleaned up. I figured a nap was out of the question since it was too late by now and we had to get to The Basement by around 8pm to find out where we were on the line-up for that night's show. We settled on a setlist and got our stuff together and headed over.
The show is called the New Faces Night and each act gets around 20 minutes or about 4 songs. Also the owner and guy in charge of the night doesn't let you know the line-up of the night until about 8pm. So we were ready to get there and find out and then start sending out messages to our friends about where we were on the list. Obviously it's better to go earlier in the night - so there's less waiting around time and it's easier to get people out. The last time we played there at the end of March we were last on the list - and so we were surprised when again we were last on the list. Neither of us were too happy about it, and if I had another show lined up in Nashville I would have left. But it had taken too long to get there and so we decided to wait it out. Lauren started working her contacts and I made my updates and then went to eat some food since we still had about 2 hours or so before we were due up.
When we got back we heard that several people were going to be making it out and we were ready to play a good set - since we were pretty annoyed about our time slot. Finally it was our time and we set up and played our songs - Lauren going from harmonica, to vocals, to banjo - and we had a decent crowd for being last. So I was happy in the end, but not sure about booking another New Faces Night.
It felt good to get back and sleep - yes it had been a long day. When I woke up in the morning I was still groggy and it took a while to get the energy to go out and run errands. I knew I had wanted to make pizza tonight so I had to make a run to Trader Joe's - my old job - across town. It takes a surprisingly small amount of time to get across town on the highway. It felt good to be back in town - and almost like I had never left. It rained during the day which cooled things off nicely.
Tonight after pizza I've just been enjoying a quiet night - soon though I need to get to bed. Tomorrow night I'm heading up to Chicago to play a show at The Horseshoe. I really like Chicago and I'm hoping to stay around town on Friday - we'll see.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

from the train

New Mexico Highway

The Big Texan in Amarillo, TX - where you can get a free steak dinner if you can eat 72 oz. of steak - there's big billboard signs all across the highway

from the Texas Panhandle

The storm moving quickly off in the distance

Stuck waiting in traffic

Nashville from the north side of town

Lauren and I at The Basement - and me in my lucky shirt

Nashville - Day 20

OK - so tonight is ones of those nights where I will wrote more in the morning. It's been a long day of driving. Monday at around noon I got off the train from LA in Albuquerque and then headed east.
I drove and drove and stopped right before Arkansas and rested then carried onto Nashville. Right after Memphis it started pouring rain - an intense storm was moving across the horizon and it stayed with me for a long while.
So now I'm beat and ready for bed after a pretty good set at The Basement tonight.
so good night,
yours truly,
- J

Down the Road - Day 19

Amarillo, Texas - that's where I'm writing from today. This is my usual stop I make as I drive across the country on Interstate 40. It's sort of the middle point for the drive from LA to Nashville - and a good stopping point for the drive from Austin to Denver. It's windy out today and not too hot thankfully so.
The train ride to Albuquerque was fine. I brought enough warm things with me to stay comfortable - last time I was not prepared. I watched the sunset beyond the high desert and just relaxed as we crossed into Arizona. I was able to sleep and by the time we reached Albuquerque I felt fairly well rested. The temperature had dropped at least 10 degrees since Thursday when I got on the train and there it was breezy and dry and it was nice. After some food at a cafe on Route 66, I got ready for the drive.
I know this road almost like the back of my hand from driving it SOoo much over the years - starting with right before my 6th birthday when the family moved from California to a town in Illinois close the St. Louis area. So it's sort of been a part of my life for a long time. I'm hoping that soon I can set up a show here.
Anyway - that's all for now - I need to get back on the road.
Yours truly,
Jeremiah

Post-Emmy's - Day 18

So I didn't win last night. Oh well - I am happy to have been nominated and to go to the show and all. It was a good night and we had a good time.
Today we're doing our Father's Day thing at my sister's house - which we're going to be leaving for pretty soon - then the train tonight.
It's been busy as I had thought so hopefully I can do more writing once I get my laptop charger back and stop moving for a day or so.
I better enjoy the cooler coastal weather while I can - when I left Albuquerque it was about 100 degrees.
So that's all for now,
yours truly,
Jeremiah


Here's a photo of my date Kristie and I from the Emmy's last night

Award show day - Day 17

Thankfully I caught up on my sleep. I realized this morning that it had been about 2 weeks since I had slept in a actual bed - so sleeping in was very nice.
So today I get to head down to Carlsbad to the La Costa Resort which is hosting the Pacific Southwest Emmys. I was nominated for Song Composition/Arrangement for music that I did for the documentary, Prison Through Tomorrows Eyes - that my friends Paul and Lori Sutton created. It's a great movie and I am proud to have been involved in it. I'm looking forward to the evening and can't wait to see what happens. I have a 50/50 chance - and I'll be sure to let you know.
Tomorrow evening, Sunday night, I have to be back on the train to carry on with the tour. The next show is Tuesday in Nashville at The Basement, then Thursday in Chicago at the Horseshoe, and next Saturday in the Cincinnati area at The Southgate House again.
Monday isn't going to be too fun since I have to drive almost straight through to Tennessee - but I've done it before so it really shouldn't be too bad - right?
I do have photos from the train but I haven't had time to put them up - maybe tomorrow morning.
All right - time to finish getting ready.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Long Day - Day 16

It's been a very long day and I look forward to sleep - soon. I made it across the Southwest from Albuquerque to Anaheim this morning at 9am. Then I had to go buy a tie for the award show, meet up for a pre-birthday dinner with my friend Kristie - and no sleep today - and I only got about 3 hours last night. So I'm about ready to crash.
thanks,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

New Mexico Morning - Day 15

So two weeks ago I hit the road out of Southern California - and tomorrow morning I'll be back for the weekend - to head to the Southwest Chapter of the Emmy awards down in Carlsbad, CA. I was nominated for an Emmy for music I did for my friend's documentary, Prison Through Tomorrow's Eyes. I'm very happy to have received a nomination and it would be an amazing thing to win - we'll see.
This morning I'm in Albuquerque where I will be catching the train back to LA - I have a feeling it's going to be a good adventure. I like the train and it's so much better than taking the Greyhound bus. My original plan of relaxing and watching DVD's on the ride won't be happening though - since I left my laptop charger back in Austin at my friend's house. Luckily I have my Ipod which will keep me entertained for a while plus some books. I look forward to being back in California again.
Last night went all right. I played in El Paso at The Percolator with local artist, Emily Davis. There was a small crowd but I was thrown off by some sound issues that I need to further investigate.
Anyway the battery is dying so I need to go
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Travel Day - Day 14

I'm awake and ready to head west. I'm looking forward to getting back to LA for the weekend and see how this Emmy thing goes. I'm a little nervous I guess and I plan to write up an acceptance speech when I'm on the train. But I'll keep the info of how it all unfolds posted here.
Tonight I'm playing at The Percolator which is a cool spot in El Paso - it's downtown and a good room. They have food, beer, and coffee. They have shows there a lot of the nights of the week and it was a place that my friend Amanda and I found when we were driving to Austin for SXSW last year. It was sort of like an oasis. I've only known El Paso before from just passing through - first on the Greyhound a long time ago when I was doing my bus traveling across the country. I had a friend who I remember mentioning that El Paso was her and her boyfriend's favorite town. It's an interesting place.
But I must get moving to make it there in time.
Down the road I go...
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Last Full Day in Austin- Day 13

Sad to say, but today is my last full day in this great town. It's been fun, hot, and happy that I've had so much music around.
Last night at Momo's went all right - not too many people and thankfully my friend Jackie showed up. But I felt I played a good set, but the Monday night shows on the road might have to be reconsidered. After Jackie and I had a good meal, we then went to try to catch another show, before our plans to meet up with Mikaela after her work to head to another show - but we were too late for the first one so we waited for Mikaela and then headed over to the east side to TC's for the late show.
TC's is a blues club and is closing down and so it was one of the final shows. It was very hot inside and hardly any air flow. People were dancing and everyone was having a good time, but the three of us just sat and enjoyed the show. Even though it was fun I was glad when we headed out and got some fresh air.
Today has been really slow, and I think I'm going to head back soon so I can get some pool time, and then make some dinner which I have been wanting to do, but haven't had the time.
Tomorrow I start the drive west to El Paso, and then Thursday up to Albuquerque, and then hop on the train back to LA.
The next week is going to be a busy crazy one, so forgive me if I don't do much writing - but as always I'll get caught up when I have the time.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

A Fun Weekend - Day 12

I can't believe that I'm already up to day 12 already. The days have been flying by - and I have been enjoying myself - although I'm never that excited about the long drives - especially with the gas prices still the way they are. My days here in Austin have been fun, and I had a good weekend, and all my days so far have been filled with music in one way or the other.
After our long early morning on Saturday, and our afternoon getting food and looking at vintage stores, we made it back home and I rested while my friend got prepared to go out for the night. I had no plans, but knew of several things going on around town. There was also a biker rally happening in town, so I kept that in mind after I got ready to go out. I had wanted to make the Mother Trucker's show at Antone's, but was weary of heading into downtown on a Saturday night.
My other friend, Jason, sent me a message that he and his wife were going to see local singer/songwriter Jimmy Lafave at a place called Threadgill's - which isn't too far from downtown - but far enough to be away from the Saturday night madness. It was also later than I thought so I didn't leave until about 9:15 - but was glad about the decision of going to Threadgill's when I got there because I found parking in the parking lot right there. The stage is outside and the weather was perfect as I bought a ticket and went inside.
Jimmy Lafave came out with his band - a big guy and could easily have passed for one of the biker guys in town for the rally. But when he started singing it was an amazing contrast - just a warm, sweet voice - full of emotion - cracks in the right place - a classic blues influenced Texas singer/songwriter. He played acoustic guitar and his band filled out the rest: drummer, bass, keyboard that had sounds of piano, Hammond B3, clavinet, lead guitar player that I recognized from the band Stonehoney, who I know several members of - they used to live in LA, and the amazing Cindy Cashdollar on lap steel - who I had seen on Friday night at the Saxon Pub playing another local guy. I also saw her play with Dave Alvin in October in Hermosa Beach, and she has played with a lot of major players, including Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison and she has won 5 Grammys over the years - which was pointed out by Dave Alvin at that show. So I sat there spellbound as she took her solos - admiring her tone and the notes that sang out into the night.
Jimmy played a great set and I know I need to go get some of his stuff. The crowd was into it - and he thanked his longtime fans for coming out - including a woman who I think I heard was 84 and she had missed the last couple shows - and he took a moment to thank her for making it out as much as she did - which sounds like she makes most of them - it was a sweet moment. I was so happy that I had caught it all, and was able to see something new to me.
Jason and I ended up at a place outside of town called the Red Shed which had a big backyard patio area, and lots of people were hanging out, enjoying the nice June evening which had cooled down to almost a perfect temperature. We talked about music and traveling - which he and his wife Penny Jo are going to be doing soon. It was a good night of music and friends and it made me happy about being in Austin.
On Sunday I got up and made my way back to Starbuck's to check in online and see what was going on. I saw that my friend Randy Weeks was going to playing a afternoon show from 3 to 6. Randy is an awesome singer/songwriter who moved to Austin from LA several years ago. I used to go see him play at The Cinema Bar on Saturday nights which was always a fun time. Those shows were packed - and that's how I fell into the roots/rock/Americana scene. So whenever I'm in Austin and I see that he's playing I do my best to see him.
Yesterday he was playing at a place called Jovita's - which isn't too far from where I'm staying over here on the south side of town. I got there and the band was set up outside on the patio - Jess Klein, who I had seen on Friday night at the Saxon Pub was there as a backup singer. People starting showing up and some weren't too happy about being outside - since it was over 100 degrees - and we were all trying to set our seats in the shade as good as possible. The wait staff kept the waters flowing and the band kicked in and started rocking - but with so many fans blowing and the mist-ers misting - the place blew a fuse - twice. But that all got sorted out and they quickly got back to grooving.
Afterwards I went in search of BBQ. I had heard about a place on the eastside and I went looking but didn't find it - so I headed back to the main part of town and found one called the Green Mesquite on Barton Springs and S. Lamar. It felt like it was going to be good, I was so happy when it was. I ordered a sliced beef sandwich and it showed up on white bread - and was really good and tender. So I sat and enjoyed and watch the NBA finals game. Afterwards I walked down by the riverfront and stood on the bridge and watched as the sun set. I heard some music from the distance and headed over and saw groups of people in front of the performance center. But by the time I made it up close everything seemed to be packed away and I saw something that had ASO on it which I figure stood for Austin Symphony Orchestra. So I just wandered around - and enjoyed the mellow evening that was cooling down nicely.
Later that night back at the pad I caught up with Mikaeala, who had worked that day, and Jackie, who had come back from Houston for a gig. We talked for a while on the back patio - they were worried about New Zealand since they had just had another earthquake - and so they were hearing from friends and family trying to get the news. It felt good to finally get to bed at a decent hour.
Today I have to make a run to the guitar store to buy a new cable since mine was cutting in and out at the Saturday morning gig - and ever since I had an equipment problem when I was able to join Willie Nelson onstage several years ago, I don't take risks on faulty gear. Tonight is the gig at Momo's which I'm happy about - I'm hoping people make it out for the show.
All right time to start going,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Jimmy Lafave at Threadgill's with Cindy Cashdollar (seated with the lap steel)

Randy Weeks with Jess Klein at Jovita's on a hot Austin afternoon

Sunset - looking towards downtown

and looking towards the West

Hot Austin Day - Day 11

It's been a busy day - well a busy several days here in Austin. This evening I don't have that much time to write, but will catch up on things tomorrow. Where I'm staying, I don't have internet access, so I go to a local Starbuck's, like now, and write.
Today was hot and I went to see my friend Randy Weeks who was playing at a place called Jovita's. The show was outside on the patio and it was over a 100 degrees out. He's awesome, so it was worth it - I had plenty of water, a little bit of food, and enjoyed the rocking, groovy tunes of Randy Weeks and his band.
So that's unfortunately all for now, but like I said i'll write more and get things caught up tomorrow.
Ciao,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

An Early Morning - Day 10

It's Saturday evening, the sun is going, and thankfully it's starting to cool off. It was pretty warm today - not a lot of humidity, which I'm very thankful about, but that's coming - along with more heat. It can be overwhelming. So I was glad that since our gig was outside this morning - it never got to be too much - just at the end when we were done at 1pm - and then we got in the car and cranked up the a/c.
This morning, my friend Mikaela and I had another farmer's market gig - this one started at 9am and so last night we figured that we had to be up and start getting ready at 7 - which wouldn't have been so bad if the group of us hadn't of gone out to a show: Jess Klein at the Saxon Pub. She was amazing, but didn't start until 10:30 or so. We all didn't make it back to the pad until about 1am or so, then stayed up and talked for a bit - so when the alarm went off at 7am, I wasn't too happy, but knew what had to be done.
The gig went well. A lot of people make it out to this one and there was a steady stream of people right off. Again it was a four hour gig and Mikaela and I alternated hour long sets. We kept properly hydrated and I was happy when we finished. We made a good amount in tips and sold some CD's and decided before heading back to the pad to put some of the money to good use. For me it was going to be food and for Mikaela it was going to be at the vintage thrift store.
We headed over to South Congress where there were a lot of people out enjoying the weekend day - there are a bunch of stores, art galleries, restaurants and cafes, a section of food trucks, a few music venues, and several outdoor markets. We stopped in for some food first at an Italian place right on the corner - a nice looking cafe with a deli in the front. I ordered some calamari, and a small salad to share since Mikaela said she wasn't too hungry - and it was incredible: the calamari was breaded lightly and seasoned perfectly and while in some places it can be chewy, this was not - it almost melted in your mouth. The salad was really good too - it tasted very fresh, and I was glad that we went there instead of the original plan of hitting a food truck. It was also nice to sit down and enjoy some a/c after being outside for most of the day.
Tonight, I have the night to myself and I'm trying to figure out just what to do. A great Austin band, the Mother Trucker's are playing down at Antone's, so that could be a very cool thing - and I also have to figure out what to do for food - but I'm sure everything will fall into place soon.
Tomorrow is a day off - although I'll probably change some guitar strings to get ready for the show at Momo's on Monday evening.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Out On The Town - Day 9

Yesterday reminded me of why I love Austin. There were three shows that I wanted to go to - and if I wanted to I could have gone to more - but I liked having the options of going out and catching several bands and people i really wanted to see. That doesn't happen in every town. There's a reason this place is called the Live Music Capital of the World. I only made it out to two out of the three I wanted to see - since one started later than I thought - but I was still happy about it all.
Yesterday evening I made it over to Maria's Taco Express which is right down the road from Mikaela's place - where I've been happily catching up on my sleep on her couch. My friend Shilah Morrow runs a show there on Thursday nights called the Sin City Social Club Happy Hour and it goes from 7 to 9. She knows the best players and so it's always a guaranteed great show. Dave Insley and the Careless Smokers were the band and they'll be there every Thursday for the month in June. I had some great tacos - al pastor: marinated pork topped with onions, cilantro, and salsa; and barbacoa: shredded beef also marinated with the same toppings. They both were so good and full of flavor and hopefully I'll make it back there for some more.
MIkaela made it out for the second set which was just as good and we finished up a good amount of chips and salsa - before heading downtown to catch my old friend Izzy Cox. At first we were a little worried about getting a decent parking place, since there's a biker rally in town that started last night. But we got lucky and found a spot right down the way from the bar. Parking can be such a crazy thing in this town - or, well, anywhere. I don't like paying for parking, so I'd rather walk a few blocks then shell out 10 bucks for a spot. It was busy out on the streets, but not crazy - it was still manageable to get around the town.
The bar is Headhunter's and a place that Lauren and I played last year. It's kind of a grungy rocker bar - lots of people with tattoos and piercings - band stickers all over the walls - loud noisy rock roaring out over the house p.a. speakers - so it was an interesting night when we played there and played a few quiet folk songs. Izzy Cox is a one woman show - she plays an electric guitar and has a kick drum right in front that she pounds out the beat as she plays and sings. She has an amazing voice - a cross between classic female jazz, a blues shouter, rock and roll singer. She has a lot of murder ballad songs - and she played a whole batch of new songs - some which reflected her rambling singer/songwriter gypsy-like past. She said that she's hoping to record some in the near future and I look forward to hearing the songs.
Like I said - Izzy is an old friend. We met years ago when she lived in LA. She was singing at the Hollywood farmer's market with another friend of mine, Sarah Kramer, playing trumpet. Then I started seeing her more and more around town - and she definitely stood out musically - it caught your attention. She passed on a weekly gig to me at a coffeehouse in Hollywood, which I did for seven months - every Tuesday night except two. Then I heard she was moving to Austin. During my first trip for SXSW here, Lauren and I ran into her on the street randomly. When I was living in Nashville she stayed in the spare room at the house I was living at for a few days - and I've stayed informed about her travels through the magic of Facebook. So I was happy when she posted that she was playing and knew that was something that I had to go to. Mikaela picked up a CD - and it's something that I highly recommend.
The night ended with a stop at a Sonic Drive-in for some shakes - and some chatting out on the back deck of the pad - then once again, sweet sleep.
This afternoon I'll be playing at the Waterloo Icehouse on 38th and Lamar from 5:30 to 7 and then in the morning at another farmer's market with Mikaela - that's an early one - a 9am start time, so we probably won't be out too late, although there are plans to go see Jess Klein at the Saxon Pub. It'll all work out.
That's all for now - it's nice in the shade,
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Izzy Cox at Headhunter's in Austin

here's a link to her music and where to buy:
www.reverbnation.com/izzycox

Back in Austin - Day 8

Yesterday I was so glad to finally make it here, to the great city of Austin. It's warm out, but since it's still just June, it's not too bad just yet - sort of like how Phoenix was. Last year I was here in August and that was intense - 105 to 110 with humidity and you sometimes feel like you're going to melt. So I'm all right with 96 to 98 degrees for now. I know better now than to come back here in the peak of summer.
The drive from Phoenix went as smoothly as possible and I was glad about that - but it's long - long is putting it lightly. It's all down Interstate 10 and you go from the dry desert and hills of Arizona, across a little bit of New Mexico, and then down through El Paso along the Mexican border at the beginning of the western part of Texas - and it rolls on through desolation. There are a few towns along the way, a couple rest stops, but not much else really.
Slowly the landscape gets a little greener here and there - the brush turns into short trees, then taller ones with green leaves - and then you feel the humidity. Then you also start seeing a few more houses and signs of civilization - more than just gas station stops - and then you start looking for the highway that cuts over to Austin - and it seems like it'll never come. Then there's Cooper's BBQ at an exit a few before the highway to Austin and I highly recommend stopping and checking it out - I would have stopped this time but I was in a hurry to get to town.
The highway that goes to Austin rolls through farm lands, small towns - lots of cattle, wineries too. I stopped in Fredricksburg which seems to be an old town settled by Germans - since a lot of the stores had German names and a few of the buildings had that sort of European/German style architecture. I stopped for a coffee and then kept on going. From there it's only about an hour more - but sort of like looking for the cut off highway from the I-10 - it seems like it's never going to end. I felt like I was inching along even though I was going 70mph. I was so happy as I knew I was getting closer - since I remembered all of it from the last time I drove through here a year ago in March. Then I hit the main highway and saw the downtown Austin buildings in the distance. I sent a message to my friend Mikaela who I was going to be staying with and I was so ready to get out of the car and get cleaned up and rest for a bit - which is what I did.
That afternoon - yesterday - Mikaela and I had a gig at a farmer's market on the north side of town. So we got our things together, loaded up the car and made the drive. Like I mentioned, it was pretty warm out, but the setting was pretty nice - right beneath a big ol tree in the shade and thankfully there was a breeze. It was next to a minor league baseball stadium and there were guys playing a game out on the grass - tossing washers. We had from 4 to 8 to play so we decided to switch off hour sets. Families showed up to shop and some stopped and sat and ate and listened to us - kids were hanging out listening, dancing in some cases - and it went well. We made some tips, including a melon, and some other food items from vendors as tips.
From there I had to get to another show - downtown at BD Riley's - a place that I played both in March and in April, the last time I toured. I dropped Mikaela off and then took off knowing that trying to find a good downtown parking place wasn't going to be all that easy. I did get lucky though and found a decent one - although the tail end was ever so slightly in a no parking zone - but I took the risk - and asked a local about getting towed, who said probably not. I carried my gear down the street to the bar on 6th St. - which 6th Street was hopping as usual - the noise from the bands playing out around town rang out and clashed with the traffic. I set up again in the corner of the bar and got ready to play. Wednesday night is trivia night there, so it's full of people - although most take off after it's done at 10 - which is when I get started - so it's kind of funny in way to start playing and watch everyone take off. The first time Lauren and I played there in April we were warned about it - and were told not to take it personally. But last night was fun and I felt it went good. Mikaela and her roommate Jackie showed up and they got up and sang along with me during You Ain't Going Nowhere.
After the set we decided to meet up at another place to hear some music - closer to their place - but the band they wanted to see wasn't playing, so we went to another place over on South Congress - the Continental Club - well the Gallery above the Continental. A great soul band was playing and we ended dancing until 2 am - which was fun and I don't know where I found that energy. Before heading back we stopped at a 24 hour drive thru taco place, since I really hadn't eaten much yesterday. Then finally sleep - and it felt so good.
Today I'm hoping to get to Maria's Taco Express for some music and tacos, then my old friend Izzy Cox at Headhunter's, then Jesse Dayton at the Broken Spoke which is right down the road from where I'm staying on South Lamar.
So that's all for now -
yours truly,
Jeremiah

crossing into Texas

Mikaela Dewar "onstage"

our tips, plus some green beans that didn't make the photo

Busy Day - day 7

It's been a very busy day. Yesterday I started the drive to Austin - and made it here at about 11am - after sleeping in my car out on I-10. I cleaned up at my friend's house and got ready for the first show of the day out at a farmer's market on the north side of town. Right now I'm at the 2nd show of the day - down at BD Riley's on 6th st. downtown. I need to go and finish the second set. I'll have more time to write tomorrow.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

On the Road to Texas - Day 6

El Paso, Tx. - that's where I am right now. So close to the border of Mexico and the wild and crazy town of Jaurez. I'm just here for a rest stop - then I'll carry on to Austin. I have about 10 more hours to go - and the road, the 10, is pretty desolate from here to there. I've made the drive a couple times and it's not something I look forward to - I do look forward to getting to Austin since that it's a great town and I really enjoy being there.
It's hot here now - about 96 and dry - the wind is blowing and the dust is drifting across the sky - coming from right across the Rio Grande over here into Texas. I made it here through the Arizona desert, and again through Tucson - and to the south there's a big fire - so smoke was blowing all across the valleys. There's been a haze almost the whole way - the dry dusty desert. I'll be playing a show here next week at the Percolator downtown which is a cool coffeehouse/art space that host shows several nights of the week - so next Wednesday I'll be back here.
Last night's show wasn't one of my best. I had a hard time finding my groove - and my timing was thrown off several times during my 45 minute set. But I made it through and relaxed afterwards with my friends that had made it out to the gig. I know the next show will be better - which is in Austin on Wednesday - first at the Round Rock Farmer's Market from 4 to 8 with my friend Mikaela Dewar - and then later that evening at B.D. Riley's down on 6th Street. I'm looking forward to being down with the drive - so with that in mind I should start heading down the road.

yours truly,
Jeremiah

In the desert... still - Day 5

This afternoon I'm resting back up in Scottsdale. It's warm out, as the summer's typically are here - but not horrible right now - like 96 or 98 - soon though it will be 105, 110, 115. I stay away then. It's just too uncomfortable.
Tucson was nice - I really like it down there - it has character and soul - which the Phoenix area doesn't really have. So I enjoyed driving around, seeing the different parts of town. Last night I met up with Eddie at a friend's house where he was going to be playing. It was an awesome setting as the sun started going down, and things got cooler. The mountains were in the distance and I enjoyed sitting out on the patio.
After hanging out there for a while, I went back downtown, back to the Hotel Congress to meet up with my friend Tricia. She used to live up in the Phoenix area and now is happier down in Tucson. We sat out on the patio, where I sat the first day when I got into Tucson, and we caught up. Later on I drove back out to the house where I was staying with Eddie in this pop-up camper/trailer outside the house where he played.
We woke up as the sun started rising and the day was heating up and being inside the trailer got too warm. In the shade on the patio it was nice and I sat out there with a cup of coffee enjoying the desert landscape. Eddie took off not much longer after that and I stuck around town to see a friend - and then stopped for lunch. I saw a hot dog stand on the corner - and pulled over and got one. It was interesting - beans, tomatoes, onions, I think salsa, and mayo I think on top. It was served with a bacon wrapped grilled pepper. Overall it was pretty good - and filled my hunger fix.
I'm looking forward to a nap this afternoon, then The Sail Inn tonight at 9pm, then sleep, then wake and start the drive to Austin. I'm ready for BBQ - well I'm almost always ready for BBQ.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

the patio in Tucson

the hot dog with everything and the bacon wrapped pepper

A Day Off - Day 4

Today down here in Tucson I have the day off - I think so far - at least nothing scheduled for now. My friend Eddie is coming down from Phoenix to play a house concert so I could be doing some playing with him - but I don't have anything set and even though it's hot down here - it sort of feels good and I'm enjoying the day off - no driving too.
Yesterday was pretty cool. The Hotel Congress was a very interesting old hotel. It's where they caught Dillinger in 1934 - and yesterday on the patio was nice. The inside is very vintage - not many changes at all over the years. So after a late afternoon shower we got ready to head over to the Nimbus Brewery where we were to play from 6 to 9pm.
It took a little bit to find. I missed a turned and we almost ended up on the military base. We finally found it out in an industrial part of town - sort of out in the middle of nowhere. Inside it was big - bar and seating up front and the big stainless steel casks in the back. We set up in the front corner and got ready to play. Matt, the drummer, had a crew of people show up, and my friend showed up with a friend - and there were others there too and we got going just after 6pm - it was close to 100 degrees- but it ended up not being too bad. The people there dug us and we did our three sets - doing quite a bit of improvising - which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't exactly work - but it was all a good time. After we were done I ordered a burger, which was all right - nothing too special, but not bad - I still am shocked about how bad the burger in Dallas at the City Tavern was.
Post gig we went to a little gathering at one of Matt's friend's house - and I liked being in Tucson - despite the heat - it has a good feel to it - not at all like Phoenix - which is pretty boring really. When we got back to the hotel, the club there was in full swing and when we went up to the room we could hear and feel the music that was right below us. I realized now why they had placed earplugs on the night stand. We did venture downstairs and hung out for a bit - but by about 1am we were done. I stayed up for a while since it was almost impossible to sleep with all the noise pounding through the floor.
This morning I was up early - the early traffic was moving down Congress through downtown and I could hear it all. By 10am we were ready for breakfast and check out - and it was busy in the lobby downstairs. People were lined up for the bloody mary bar which seemed overwhelming with the choices. We finally got seated and enjoyed a good breakfast - even though it took a while to get to us. One of Matt's friend's, Kate, joined us and we sat and talked.
So that's the day so far. Now I just have to wait for Eddie to get down here, and I'm going to go check out the city a bit more. Tomorrow I head back up to Phoenix and tomorrow night I'll be playing over at The Sail Inn in Tempe - at 9pm - first up that night.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

The Hotel Congress back patio

the front desk

another inside shot

from the front

Hot AZ Days - Day 3

Today I made it down to Tucson, Arizona. It's warm out - not too too bad just yet - about 103 right now as I sit on the patio of the Hotel Congress - enjoying my bit of shade. I'm not sure just how much it will cool down - but hopefully a decent amount. The wind is blowing but that's just moving the warm air around - not too much relief.
Last night I played at the North 51 Grill again. I've played there many times over the years and it's a good sort of hole in the wall kind of place. Rick, the owner, recently put in a stage which I was sort of shocked to see. It's definitely needed a spot for performers. Before there was always moving tables and chairs out of the way to make room for gear on the floor. So it looks more like an actual place that host music, and not just a sports bar. The crowd sort of came and went, and came back again - and overall it was a good night.
Once again I crashed on Eddie's couch and woke up early when his kids got up - 6:30 or so. It was nice outside in the morning and I took a little walk over to Starbucks, and then got ready for the day, and for the drive down the 10 to Tucson. The drive was easy - not too many cops out like the last time I did that drive - and the desert scenery surrounded my car: cactuses, and brush, dry, rocky hills in the distance - dry open fields - there were also lots of vehicles on the road - big semi's and cars and sometimes I wonder what part of "Slower Traffic Stay Right" some people don't understand.
So now I'm waiting for Matthew, who's playing drums with me tonight, to show up. This hotel is very cool and I guess certain rooms are haunted - hopefully not ours. The food here is pretty good - I ate here back in March and remember being impressed. Across the patio they're smoking food - meat I presume - and I love the smell of the burning wood - smoking. I can't wait to do some of my own when I get back to California.
While I have my own struggles in life - it's a moment like now that I'm thankful for being able to do what I do. Life ain't bad - really.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

Arizona Days - Day 2

Last night I pulled into Flagstaff right before the sun went down. It felt good to be back up in the mountains - but was a little worried as I drove in because there was a fire south west of town and the smoke was blowing across the road and drifted north. It looked pretty bad, but I heard that it should be all contained today. The smoke and the evening sun gave everything an orangish hue and it made me remember the fires in California - a similar scene.
I eventually made my way to the Flagstaff Brewing Company which is one of my favorite bars - a great local hang right across Route 66 from the train station. It was a little chilly out, so I opted out of playing outside on the patio and set up in a spot in the front window where I've played the last couple times. The playing went well and I had a good crowd that hung out and bought CD's.
One of the great things that I enjoy about being in Flagstaff is that you're able to see the stars - so as I was loading out to my car I stopped and checked out the sky - that was lit up and sparkled. You don't see too many stars in the sky in Los Angeles so I'm always happy where ever I am to see the stars spread out.
Tonight I'll be playing in Phoenix at the North 51 Grill - then tomorrow down to Tucson to play at the Nimbus Brewery. The weather isn't too hot just yet, so I'm glad about that.
yours truly,
Jeremiah

The California Desert

gear at FBC

Downtown Flagstaff

Going to Arizona - Day 1 (of the June/July Tour)

Hello there again -
So my vehicle is all packed up - and I'm about ready to hit the road for Flagstaff. The first show of the tour is tonight at the Flagstaff Brewing Company - one of my favorite spots in one of my favorite towns. I plan on keeping a daily blog, like the last tour in March and April - I think I only missed 4 days of writing - so hopefully I can do better - but sometimes it's hard to find the time and/or an internet connection. So we'll see.
Tomorrow, from Flagstaff I drive down into Phoenix to play the North 51 Grill in North Phoenix.
Well, I need to get moving.
yours truly,
JEremiah